Val Butler got more than 160 signatures in just eight days against a proposal to build a phone tower in the main street of Cockatoo. 70689 Picture Kim Cartmell
By Melissa Meehan
THEIR battle against the demolition of the Cockatoo kinder has ended, but the tight-knit coming is again coming together for another fight.
Over 160 residents have signed a petition against an application submitted to the Cardinia Shire Council for a phone tower in McBride Street, Cockatoo.
Long-time resident Val Butler said she first found about the plans to build the tower “slap bang in the middle of town” last week and got to organising the petition straight away.
“I feel very strongly about Cockatoo, I just love it,” Ms Butler said.
“And just after getting over reeling about the kinder, two weeks later we are faced with this.
“We don’t want it.”
The Dandenong Ranges Community Bank Group is also objecting to the application and has raised health and safety concerns for their staff.
Company chairman Peter Marke said despite only being tenants of their property the bank was not directly notified of the proposal and only found about it on the town’s website.
“This leaves us very little time to prepare an appropriate response to submit to the council regarding concerns for our staff safety including radiation,” Mr Marke said.
“We have other significant concerns such as the need for us to be assured that there will be no interference to our bank network and security systems.
“We also strongly believe that a communication tower in the main township of Cockatoo is not in the best interest of the town and its development.”
Local businessman Chris Abraham agreed.
“I’ll pull it down myself if it’s built,” he said.
“There are already towers on Paternoster Road, a perfect spot for the new tower. Out of sight – out of mind.”
The petition was sent by Ms Butler to Cardinia Shire CEO Garry McQuillan on Monday.
